UNDP Speaks at Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Ashgabat

Ashgabat, 26-27 November 2016: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) took part in the Secretary-General’s Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on sustainable transport hosted by the Government of Turkmenistan.

The conference was opened by H.E Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary - General of the United Nations and H.E Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov President of Turkmenistan.

“Based on our experience we believe that transport sector reforms aimed at improved fuel efficiency, increased use of public transport, integrating transport and urban development planning should be an integral part of national SDG plans and emission reduction strategies,” stated Ms. Barrins.

UNDP has been supporting the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda globally as well as in Turkmenistan.

UNDP is currently supporting 18 countries with 21 active sustainable transport projects worth over US$ 90 million in grant financing and almost US$ 1.4 billion in co-financing. In Turkmenistan, UNDP is working with the Government to design a new innovative sustainable cities’ project that will encompass sustainable urban transportation as one of its core elements. UNDP’s portfolio addressing sustainability in the transport sector and integrated urban sustainability has been growing over the past years with funding from the Global Environment Facility.

The first-ever United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference concluded with more than 50 countries endorsing the 'Ashgabat Statement on Commitments and Policy Recommendations,' with a view to supporting cleaner, greener transportation – from local transit systems to worldwide multimodal networks.